Horrible

Ok, so I had the realize band in March 2009. To date, I have only lost around 50lbs. It took me the first 7 months to reach restriction so that discouraged me. Now I relaize it has been over a year and I dont even feel I have made a dent in this whole process. Is anyone else where I am? Have been banded for over a year and still having issues with it? Any tips, tricks, or suggestions. Im getting ready to start excercising on a routine basis as soon as I get my asthma/health under control but I just feel like a complete failure. I guess Im just having a bit of a pity party and needing some encouragement or to hear from anyone else that is struggling like I am.

I was also banded in March 2009 and have only lost about 60 lbs.  I finally have good restriction and am losing the 1-2 lbs a week.  A few months after I was banded I had to have a port revision due to the port flipping.  For some reason I lost most of my band fluid which I did not know and just gave up.  I was upset and so discouraged for months and stopped going to the doctor.  When I finally stopped filling sorry for myself I went back to the doctor and got a fill, and another one.  Now the restriction is great....food has no control over me anymore.  I'm sorry that I wasted so much time feeling sorry for myself. 

I would go back to the doctor and see a nutritionist to get back on track.  They were also mentioning to me that they are having a lot of good results with using Byetta.  Byetta is used for type II diabetes and helps with the way the body uses sugar...(research it for a better explanation).  I'm doing so much better now and I hope you do too!  Don't give up!!!!

** FAT BAG OF WIND WARNING – MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF NO DOZE **

 

First a little tough love – are you following ALL THE RULES? Not some of the times, but MOST of the time? Are you: (A) drinking your 64 ounces of non-carbonate non-caffeinated liquids; (B) Are you taking in your recommended allotment of protein (60 to 80 grams – unless your Doctor said otherwise); (C) Are you grazing in between meals; (D) are you eating fatty or starchy carbs; (E) are you exercising; (F) are you going to support group meetings and/or websites; (G) have you spoken to your Doctor; (H) have you followed-up with your nutritionists (many insurance companies will allow you X amount of visits per year); (I) are you eating enough?

 

A close friend, who is a Certified Fitness Trainer, gave me a valuable lesson concerning losing weight. The first thing he said is “You have to EAT in order to lose weight". I know, it sounds strange. He further explained, this does not mean to OVEREAT, but eat sensible portions. That means eat until you feel full (not stuffed). He explained the body is a marvelous machine, and it will protect itself. If one doesn’t eat enough, the body’s metabolism will slow down - in order to keep it functioning. So make sure you’re not “cheating" your body by not eating enough (thinking the less you eat the more you will lose).

 

If you’re not, that could be the issue .. with that said .. Remember stalls are natural part of weight loss.

 

Stalls are natural part of weight loss. It seems the body “catches on" to what we have been doing, and holds onto everything. After a while, the lost restarts and things go well.

 

However, stalls can also because by eating (a) too much (b) not enough. I know it sounds a little contradictory, and I will try to explain.

 

Too much: While we need to make sure we hit our protein requirements (60-80 grams, or whatever your Doctor told you), we need to make sure the carbs, calories, etc are “acceptable". Remember, you don’t want to make your 80 grams of protein by eating 4 gallons of ice cream or a starchy carb.

 

Not enough: Again, make sure you are meeting your daily protein requirements. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO WEIGHT LOSS. The body is a marvelous machine, and it will protect itself. If one doesn’t eat enough, the body’s metabolism will slow down - in order to keep itself functioning. If a person intake is less then what it expels, the body will start to “store" food.

 

Now a pet peeve .. DROP THE WORD ONLY !! I get very upset to read, or hear, “I’ve lost only X pounds". Why use the word ONLY !?!?!?! Be proud of those pounds you lost!!! This is a major accomplishment!!

 

How many times were you NOT able to lose that amount of weight???? Or when you did, you gained it back?? If you lost weight, and haven’t gained it back, then aren’t you really winning?!?!? And if you gained some back but not all – you still a winner

  

Remember, this isn’t a race. “Slow and steady wins the race".  We are a generation of instantaneous results, however remember we didn’t put all the weight on at once, it took years. So don’t you think losing it would take just as long? This isn't one of those miracle instantaneous weight loss programs. We all know types of programs always fail. This is a way of life

 

Nowhere does any of the literate state you will lose x amount of weight in x days. Think LONG TERM. If it takes you 2 – 3 -5 years to lose all the weight, WHO CARES!!! How long did it take you to put all those pounds on? Try to remind yourself that even if I lost only 1 pound per week, in year’s time I’d be 52 pounds lighter. Many doctors believe the slower you lose weight, the better chance you have of keeping it off. 

 

Many folks are hung up on the number. It’s not the number of pounds that someone loses in a specified period of time that is important. It’s how you feel. Don’t forget, if you are toning up muscle – your weight loss may seem to have slowed (or stopped), when in fact you are replacing fat with muscle. Muscle is heavier then fat. Someone weighting 200 pounds with a body fat percentage of 25 is carrying around 50 pounds of extra fat. That same person weighting 200 pounds with 10 percent body fat would be carrying 20 pounds of fat. So it’s not the number that is important.

 

The amount of weight lost is affected by many factors. Everyone loses weight at different rates. It has to do with age, gender, one’s weight, exercise, etc.. A 10 pound lost to one person could be as affected as a 40 pound lost to another. Think of it this way: If a 400-pound person loses 40 pounds; a 300-pound person loses 30 pounds, a 200-pound person loses 20 pounds, and a 100-pound person loses 10 pounds – the 400-pound person didn’t necessarily lose more weight than the others. All three lost 10% of their body weight. 

  

Also there are other “scales" you can use to monitor your success: your constant hunger reduction (eliminated); reduced clothing size; increase energy; re-familiarizing yourself to body-parts unseen for years (errr… toes) ; “common" activity becoming easier (walking, climbing steps), just feeling good about yourself; sleeping better (reduced snoring); the mirror; better medical exam results (lower cholesterol and/or blood pressure); etc.

                   

Be proud of your lost. No matter how small it may seem. Remember, it’s better to lose not a pound than to GAIN a ounce.

 

So starting today – let’s officially start a movement to ban the word ONLY, and take pride in your lost

 

Ok here is the toughest love you will get .. Yesterday is over and done with. There is nothing we can do about it. Tomorrow is NOW, and it’s time to get yourself back on track.

 

First – remember this isn’t a diet plan; it’s a way of life. So slips, stumbles and falls will occur. What we do when this happens is truly important. You need to get yourself up, dust yourself off, and get yourself to continue down the road to success.

 

What you first need to do is ask yourself “Where did I come from" .. then ask yourself “Why did I do this operation" – basically the answer is because it’s a last resort.

 

You need to realize you are stronger than any craving or any food. It took strength to admit you have a problem you can’t control. It took strength to decide to have an operation. It took strength to do what was needed before and after the operation. It took strength to say “I need help" .. So you have the strength, now you need to call on it.

 

GET BACK TO THE BASICS !! I tell everyone that. Pretend today was day one of the operation and go back to a strict liquid diet. Do this for a few days (maybe a week), then go onto the next stage of soft food then finally regular food. What you are doing it is detoxing your body of the sugars and bad carbs. When you find yourself hungry – eat .. but SENSIBLE foods. Make sure you also follow all the rules.

 

You need to go back and follow the rules that made you successful. You need to have the 64 ounces of NON-CARBONATE/DECAFFEINATED liquid. You need to have your 60 to 80 grams of protein. You need to make sure you don’t drink 30 minutes before/after or during your meal. 

 

What you need to remember is they put the band around your stomach, and not around your brain. You will need to use some self control when it comes to food. If you are hungry stop and ask yourself is this real hunger or head hunger. Asking that alone will probably be an indication it’s head hunger, so you know what to do. Get busy doing something else. If that doesn’t work, EAT – but SOMETHING HEALTHY. Have some salad; vegetables, PROTEIN, etc.

 

You need to get to support groups. Look on line to find ones around you. I will help if you can’t find one.

 

You need to discuss this with your Doctor. That’s why he’s there. If you feel you’re not getting the support from him, then you need to go to another Doctor. Remember you are the client/consumer. If you’re paying for a service, you want the best service for that money. If not, move on. You are worth THE BEST because YOU ARE THE BEST !!

 

You also need to speak to a Nutritionist. Many insurance companies allow you to see one X amount of times per year. Contact your insurance company. Go and speak to the person who did your psych exam, or see someone new. Again, insurance should be able to cover it. Maybe not the person you originally saw, but someone in your plan.

 

Now – get off your a$$ – stop making excuses – and (sorry Nike) JUST DO IT !! 

REMEMBER what it took to make you successful. YOU CAN DO IT !!

 

And know I (we) are here if you need !!

 

OK – I hope you’re still up

 

 

Wow...Tom, I needed to read that post...Thank you so much, you hit the nail on the head....I know why I am not successing and you pointed out every one of my faults/excuses.

Thank you...I have to get on track.

AMEN!!!! I too needed some TOUGH LOVE, Thank you Tom!!

I especially loved, Tomorrow is Today. That is the best mantra ever! I think I am going to print your post and keep it with me at all times, cause God knows I am going to need the encouragement.

Thanks Again!

Keep on...keeping on! Mimi

Great words of wisdom Tom! I can honestly say that today when I went for a walk it was much easier than when I started walking after surgery and it made me reflect back on my journey and think about the non scale victories. We need to celebrate those as much as the numbers!!!

JEC...you said that you are ready to start exercising on a routine basis as soon as you get your health under control...all you have to do is start moving. You don't have to walk 5 miles or lift weights, just move in some way. Park farther away from work or the store. Try to increase your steps. And...as Tom said, FOLLOW THE BAND RULES! You know it works. You are a good example. Congrats on how far you've come!!!  Good luck on where you are going!

I do know what you are going through! I am ten months out and have lost about 40-45lbs, and I've been stuck since about November-December. My weight has been fluctuating between 240-245 since then. I am happy I've lost that much, but it doesn't change the fact that  it's still discouraging.

Tom's advice is ALWAYS good advice. He truly knows what he's talking about. One of the best people on this site--listen to him!

I believe I am going to try the 5 day pouch test. The only big problem I've been having is that at the moment, I am completely broke! Being a college student with a minimum wage part time work study job is taking a toll on my shopping! I've been doing good with my caloric and water intake, but I've been slacking in the protein department as of late.

Hopefully we will lose more soon! I'll be rooting for ya. If you need to talk, you can always message me/add me. =]

Thank you all for the encouragement and replies. And Tom, I needed that. Sometimes a swift kick in the butt and friendly reminders can be the best medicine. Very good information as well. Starting today, I am tracking ALL food consumed as well as increasing the activity level. Im ready to break the patterns and break through the stall. Im still losing slowly probably below a pound a week but at least i am still moving in the right direction. Ive also made a promise that Im finally going to go to the doctor to see what is going on with my glucose levels being up and down all day long. Hopefully this will get controlled and help me in the process. Thank you all so much!

 Yes, get your glucose/insulin/anything related to diabetes checked!!!!!!! That will slow down weight loss if not reverse it.

Have you had your thyroid checked by a reputable endocrinologist? I mean a GOOOOOD one. Some are better at reading those lab results than others. I was told by four doctors that my thyroid was "normal" before a really great endo finally looked and said, "uh, you're certainly hypothyroid...."

ALSO a tool I've used in the past (and will be using again in combo with the band) is called the Apex Body Bugg --it is the arm band and calorie counting program they use on Biggest Loser. My personal trainer (attempt no.432 to lose weight before deciding on surgery! ha!) suggest it before it was ever featured on the show. It really is motivating to SEE your caloric burn, minute by minute, and graph that against your caloric intake to see what your projected weightloss for the week will/should be.
Good luck!!!!!!

I am glad to know that you, and others, understand that my reply isn’t meant to be chastising, but just a friendly reminder from someone who knows where you’ve been; what you’re going through; and where you'd like to be .. and someone who would love to enjoy the company on our journey of getting healthier.

 

Love you one and all!! And remember, we’re all in it together.